EANS-News: Epigenomics´ Epi proLung® BL Assay shows Strong Performance as Confirmation Test for Lung Cancer Diagnosis
14.02.2012 – 11:02
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Corporate news transmitted by euro adhoc. The issuer/originator is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Products/Company Information/molecular diagnostics Berlin, Germany, and Seattle, WA, U.S.A., February 14, 2012 (euro adhoc) - Epigenomics AG (Frankfurt Prime Standard: ECX), the German-American cancer molecular diagnostics company, is pleased to announce the results from a clinical study conducted by Professor Dr. Manfred Dietel and his team from the Institute of Pathology of the Charité University Hospital in Berlin, Germany. In the reported study, the clinical performance of the Epi proLung® BL assay (based on Epigenomics´ proprietary biomarker detecting methylated SHOX2) was evaluated in bronchial washings from patients suspected of having lung carcinoma. In the prospective study conducted between March 2011 and November 2011, a total of 228 bronchial washing specimens were submitted to cytological analysis according to established clinical routine. In addition, the Epi proLung® BL assay was performed on all patient samples. Final clinical status indicated that 54 of the 228 subjects were definitively diagnosed with lung carcinoma. Of the 54 confirmed lung carcinoma subjects, 29 were detected by both tests, 12 were detected by the Epi proLung® BL assay only, and 12 were detected by cytological analysis only. The combination of both cytological analysis and the Epi proLung® BL assay resulted in a final sensitivity of 98% at a specificity of 92%. Only one confirmed lung cancer case was missed with the combined analysis. Based on these results, which independently confirm the clinical utility of the Epi proLung® BL assay, Charité has announced that the assay will be introduced into its clinical practice as a routine aid in the diagnosis of lung cancer in patients with negative or suspicious cytological results. The results of this study will be presented by Prof. Dr. M. Dietel at the Annual Meeting of the German Association of Pathologists end of May in Berlin. Dr. Uwe Staub, Senior Vice President of Development and Manufacturing commented: "These results demonstrate the power of our proprietary biomarker assay to further aid in a definitive diagnosis for lung cancer. It is gratifying to see the implementation of this test into a clinical routine practice, confirming our efforts in the development of Epi proLung® BL assay". - Ends - Further Information Contact Epigenomics AG Antje Zeise Manager IR | PR Epigenomics AG Tel +49 (0) 30 24345 368 ir@epigenomics.com www.epigenomics.com About Epigenomics Epigenomics (www.epigenomics.com) is a molecular diagnostics company developing and commercializing a pipeline of proprietary products for cancer. The Company´s products enable doctors to diagnose cancer earlier and more accurately, leading to improved outcomes for patients. Epigenomics´ lead product, Epi proColon®, is a blood-based test for the early detection of colorectal cancer, which is currently marketed in Europe and is in development for the U.S.A. The Company´s technology and products have been validated through multiple partnerships with leading global diagnostic companies including Abbott, QIAGEN, Sysmex, and Quest Diagnostics. Epigenomics is an international company with operations in Europe and the U.S.A. Epigenomics legal disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Epigenomics AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of Epigenomics AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Epigenomics AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The information contained in this communication does not constitute nor imply an offer to sell or transfer any product, and no product based on this technology is currently available for sale by Epigenomics in the United States or Canada. The analytical and clinical performance characteristics of any Epigenomics product based on this technology which may be sold at some future time in the U.S. have not been established. Further inquiry note: Antje Zeise | CIRO Manager IR/PR Epigenomics AG Tel: +49 30 24345 386 antje.zeise@epigenomics.com end of announcement euro adhoc -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- company: Epigenomics AG Kleine Präsidentenstraße 1 D-10178 Berlin phone: +49 30 24345-0 FAX: +49 30 24345-555 mail: ir@epigenomics.com WWW: http://www.epigenomics.com sector: Biotechnology ISIN: DE000A1K0516 indexes: Prime All Share, Technology All Share stockmarkets: free trade: Berlin, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt language: English